Social Support & Wellness | Chandra Story | TEDxOStateU

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of health, noting that half of Americans live with chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes. She shares personal stories, including her uncle's tragic death due to high blood pressure, to highlight the urgency of health issues. The speaker also discusses the paradox of social media connections versus real social support and suggests innovative ways to foster genuine connections for better health, like meeting new people in wellness classes and starting social support groups.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Health is a critical aspect of life that enables us to achieve our dreams and goals.
• 🚑 Many Americans struggle with chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, which can be life-threatening.
• 🔢 Shocking statistics: 1 in 2 Americans live with chronic disease, and 2 in 4 live with multiple health conditions.
• 👤 Personal stories highlight the impact of health issues, such as the tragic death of the speaker's uncle due to high blood pressure.
• 📱 The paradox of social media: While it connects us, it might not provide the deep social support needed for health.
• 🍰 Unhealthy coping mechanisms, like eating junk food, can be a shared problem among social groups.
• 🍏 The idea of shifting social norms towards healthier behaviors, such as choosing an apple over ice cream.
• 🤝 The suggestion to use health classes and activities as a platform to form new, health-promoting social connections.
• 💡 A call to action for health leaders to innovate and create environments that foster physical, mental, and social health.
• 👥 The potential for individuals to become leaders in their communities, promoting new traditions of social support for health.
• 🙌 The importance of recognizing that social health is as crucial as physical and mental health for overall well-being.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speech?

The main theme of the speech is the importance of health and how it is connected to our social connections and support networks.

What is the statistic mentioned about chronic diseases in America?

The statistic mentioned is that one in two Americans are living with some type of chronic disease, and two in four are living with two or more of these health conditions.

Who is the 'preacher man' mentioned in the speech?

The 'preacher man' is a young man in his 40s, a great and prolific preacher, who was loved by his community and had a beautiful family.

What happened to the preacher man after he was diagnosed with high blood pressure?

Despite being advised by his doctor to lose weight or risk dying within a year, the preacher man decided to continue his work and serving his community. Unfortunately, he died about a week later.

What is the role of social media in the speaker's discussion on health?

Social media is acknowledged as a way we connect and share information quickly, but the speaker questions how truly connected we are and if our online connections are beneficial to our health.

Why does the speaker mention wanting to eat a large piece of cake or ice cream to deal with stress?

The speaker uses this as an example of unhealthy coping mechanisms that people might use when dealing with stress, and how these habits can be influenced by our social connections.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a new approach to health?

The speaker suggests thinking about health in a new way, including making new connections and forming social support groups that focus on improving health.

What does the speaker propose as a requirement in group classes or corporate wellness classes?

The speaker proposes that participants should be required to meet someone new face to face, to boost the immune system and decrease blood pressure.

Why is it important to meet people face to face according to the speaker?

Meeting people face to face is important because it boosts the immune system and decreases blood pressure, which are both beneficial for health.

What is the speaker's vision for a new social support circle?

The speaker envisions a new social support circle that focuses on health and positive lifestyle changes, where individuals become leaders in their own social groups and start new movements.

What is the final call to action from the speaker?

The speaker invites the audience to become innovators in their circles and start new social support circles that promote positive health, inspired by the speaker's uncle who died young.